Review 1949: Owner, Bay Jah View

When

2004, 2 weeks

Location

This was a lovely home on Captiva Island, which is a barrier island off the Florida coast. It was ideally located one block back from the bayside of the island. From the balcony of the master suite we could see the bay.

Nearby Amenities

Captiva is a small place with lots of amenities icludung numerous good restaurants, pubs, shops and library with internet access, all of which were within walking distance of the house.

The House/Apartment

The house was modern and clean. Really well appointed and well laid out. There was even an elevator! which as it was on three floors was welcome when arriving with lots of heavy bags. The house was detached and felt very private even though there were adjacent neighbours and the local fire station was behind. There were 2 beds upstairs and two on the ground floor which makes it easily acessible for the elderly and/or disabled traveller.

Garden

There was a screened porch area under the house and a swimming pool which was unscreened. We thought this may be a problem but actually found it to be fine.

Furnishings/Cleanliness/Living Areas

The house was very clean and tidy and all the furniture was very stylish. As the owner aso runs a video store we had lots of videos to choose from when we returned from our evening dinner and stroll around the Island.

Bedrooms/Bathrooms

The beds and bathrooms were well appointed and spotlessly clean.

Kitchen

Although I seldom cook on holiday I did manage a couple of breakfasts! and found the kitchen ideal. It was open plan which made it a very sociable area to cook in.

Problems or Bonuses

We loved Captiva, it proved to be the ideal antidote to a week of frenetic theme park activity in Orlando. Each evening we walked to a different restaurant which was a novelty after having to use the car everywhere in Orlando.

Agency and Representatives (and price)

The owner was nice to deal with, very laid back and chilled!

Do you recommend this vacation rental to others?

We would stay here again without doubt, it was a lovely, pretty and practical house on an Island of pretty houses. The only downside, if indeed it is one, is that to get back onto the mainland via the causeway does take quite a while as you need to traverse Sanibel then Captiva. For us that was part of the charm, the Island felt almost Carribean in parts and we loved the feeling of being away from it all.

Things to do in this area

We spent many a happy hour in the various restaurants on the Island, two which come to mind are the Mucky Duck and Tween waters Inn. The crab racing at Tween Waters is an event not to be missed!!

The large shopping centres on Sanibel are excellent and will even deliver if you like! or you can collect groceries on the way to Captiva. I ordered shopping fom the UK via email from Baileys general store and it was waiting to be collected as we arrived on the Island!

If you get the chance go and see these wonderful islands.

This review is the opinion of a Slow Travel member and not of slowtrav.com.